OTTAWA - Today the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) launched a campaign asking Canadians to showcase their hometown pride. FCM believes that the next federal election must focus on strengthening Canada through developing our cities and communities. The Hometown Proud Campaign is the start of a conversation about how we build the Canada of tomorrow.
"FCM recognizes that hometowns are the engines that drive our country forward," said FCM President Brad Woodside. "Hometowns create local jobs and local growth; they foster quality of life, and promote safe and sustainable communities."
Through the #HometownProud Campaign, FCM wants to hear from Canadians about how they are connected to their hometowns, and how we can make them the best that they can be. Canadians know what makes their cities, towns, and villages work best, and what they need to raise their family, work, and be involved in community life. These experiences, told through the stories that will be collected, are the building blocks of what makes Canada great.
"Through the stories that will be shared, FCM will design a roadmap for the building of a Canada of the future," said Mr. Woodside. A dedicated website, hometownproud.fcm.ca, has been developed to capture all of the hometown stories that Canadians have been wanting to share with each other. The stories will be as diverse as the cultural, linguistic, and regional flavours that define Canada. Yet they will share a common thread - one that unites small towns with large cities. Whether in Western, Atlantic, or Central Canada, or in the Territories, Canadian are united in their belief that a strong Canada starts with strong hometowns.
The campaign will kick-off with a contest where, through the support of Air Canada, the winner of the contest will win two round trip tickets to bring loved ones home. The contest runs until January 13.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of municipal government. In leading the municipal movement, FCM works to align federal and local priorities, recognizing that strong hometowns make for a strong Canada!